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Microsoft launched its historic Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac on Wednesday, with strong support from Apple Computer Inc.
The latest version of the Office software is the most similar version to the Mac ever created, and marks a new era of co-operation between the once bitter rivals.
Office 2001 for the Macintosh operating system will be available in US stores now at USD499 for the full version and USD299 for an upgrade from an earlier version. The package will be available in the UK and Ireland from October 13 although pricing is not yet known.
The new package, which features updated versions of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, includes a Mac-only application, the Entourage 2001 e-mail, address book, and personal information manager. Apple’s Chief Executive Steve Jobs, has also granted Microsoft a special license to use the Mac trademark in its marketing campaign.
“This is unmatched in terms of the collaboration between the two companies,'' Clent Richardson, vice president of Apple's World Wide Developers division, told Reuters. “We are thrilled by it. This really is a must-have upgrade ... and if you don't have Office 2001 you won't be able to enjoy a lot of the features Microsoft has built into its products," he added.
The rivalry between the two companies dates back to the early days of personal computing in the 1980s when Jobs and Microsoft co-founder Gates vied for market domination -- a battle won decisively by Microsoft. The relationship between the two has been steadily improving since 1997 when Microsoft invested USD150 million to prop up the ailing Apple.
Kevin Brown, the head of Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit, described the relationship between Microsoft and Apple as "the best it's ever been."
"Back in 1996, it was said that people from Microsoft and Apple couldn’t talk to one another without having lawyers in the room. Now we’ve all internalised the need to work with Apple, and I’m very pleased with where we are," explained Brown adding that the collaboration is also "due in no small part to Steve Jobs’ return to Apple," Brown revealed that Bill Gates "has a soft spot in his heart for the Mac."
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